Hyatt Gold Passport - I have a few random questions

I am new to the Hyatt GP program. I usually frequent Hiltons. I have read and re-read the posts in the thread and still have a few questions. Forgive me if the answer is clear- my brain is tired.

1)I re-signed up for the Hyatt GP and am trying to get a status match to Hyatt Platinum (I'm Hilton Silver VIP). We are heading to Hyatt Maui in a few months and I want try to get some FFN for our trip. Can I reserve our rooms in anticipation of the free night and apply it when I get there? Would it be best to use the FFN first and then the paid nights? I will use the DEL5K too. Does the platinum status get me anything (like diamond gets free breakfast)?

2) I opted for the FFN (free night) for our option on the promo. I signed hubby up for the same option. He needs to stay 4 nights soon and I am reserving him at two different Hyatts. That should be good to receive a FFN night, correct? These will likely be at Hyatt Places. I was told by Hyatt CSR that I can combine his points and mine together.

3) There appears to be some good deals around us, so I was thinking of staying a night here and there with the DEL5K and another code to obtain some FFN (since I would have to pay anyway). The optional code seems to come up with a travelzoo deal ($75 USD credit and $25 casino credit). I think I read in the thread that travelzoo rates dont count, but in the hotel review thread it appears too. Would CSR be able to confirm if it counts or just go by what other Hyatt members have found?

4) I have a few night stays at the Hyatt from a priceline bid. I know they don't count toward points/miles, but the incidentals do, correct?

5) Assuming DH and I do get some FFN for our stay in Maui, does each FFN need to be booked separately?

Thanks so much! From everything I have read, it seems like Hyatt is MUCH more generous to their customers. I appreciate that!

I am new to the Hyatt GP program. I usually frequent Hiltons. I have read and re-read the posts in the thread and still have a few questions. Forgive me if the answer is clear- my brain is tired.

1)I re-signed up for the Hyatt GP and am trying to get a status match to Hyatt Platinum (I'm Hilton Silver VIP). We are heading to Hyatt Maui in a few months and I want try to get some FFN for our trip. Can I reserve our rooms in anticipation of the free night and apply it when I get there? Would it be best to use the FFN first and then the paid nights? I will use the DEL5K too. Does the platinum status get me anything (like diamond gets free breakfast)?

2) I opted for the FFN (free night) for our option on the promo. I signed hubby up for the same option. He needs to stay 4 nights soon and I am reserving him at two different Hyatts. That should be good to receive a FFN night, correct? These will likely be at Hyatt Places. I was told by Hyatt CSR that I can combine his points and mine together.

3) There appears to be some good deals around us, so I was thinking of staying a night here and there with the DEL5K and another code to obtain some FFN (since I would have to pay anyway). The optional code seems to come up with a travelzoo deal ($75 USD credit and $25 casino credit). I think I read in the thread that travelzoo rates dont count, but in the hotel review thread it appears too. Would CSR be able to confirm if it counts or just go by what other Hyatt members have found?

4) I have a few night stays at the Hyatt from a priceline bid. I know they don't count toward points/miles, but the incidentals do, correct?

5) Assuming DH and I do get some FFN for our stay in Maui, does each FFN need to be booked separately?

Thanks so much! From everything I have read, it seems like Hyatt is MUCH more generous to their customers. I appreciate that!



I will try to answer your questions:

1). Apparently you can pre-reserve a FFN by holding it just with your credit card. I and many others are against this, but this apparently is what is permissible so you should try it in anticipation of your earning FFN(s).

Hilton Silver likely will get you Platinum.

Use of free night first or the other way around I think is immaterial given your soon status -- DEL5K can only be used in conjunction with a paid stay.

Hilton Diamond -- as you know far above Silver -- get you free breakfast, but not Silver. Platinum will get you no freebies other than a point bonus -- check the rules they are clear on this.

2). Yes to the first question and I believe for the second, as well.

What my spouse and I do for earning FFNs -- and not everyone agrees with this -- is alternating between yours and his accounts on consecutive days to maximize earning free nights. Some warn that the hotel will make you check out of your room -- I have never experienced this -- but this conceivably could happen -- still worth it in my opinion to opitmize obtaining free nights.

3). CSR would be able to confirm to the best of their knowledge -- it is dicey thing. If you do a search, there may be a way around it with another code. I will not be anymore explicit than that as its overuse could prompt Hyatt to pull it altogether.

4). Yes, if they are normally counted by Hyatt, some properties allow points on incidentals that others do not -- you should first check with the hotel if a given spend will get you points.

5). I book mine separately on a daily basis just so that I have the ability to change a day at a time if need be as opposed to an entire reservation.

thank you NJUPINTHEAIR for answering! Can they do anything to you (like cancel your Hyatt GP) if you alternate stays like you and your wife? besides make you check out and in again. Do you tell them you are staying for 4 nights but under different names at the first time of check in or do you wait each day and do it? Just curious.

thank you NJUPINTHEAIR for answering! Can they do anything to you (like cancel your Hyatt GP) if you alternate stays like you and your wife? besides make you check out and in again. Do you tell them you are staying for 4 nights but under different names at the first time of check in or do you wait each day and do it? Just curious.

No, they can't cancel your points or account or anything because what you are doing is perfectly within their rulesr -- there is nothing illegal about it.

As you get familiar with this forum and this board, you will see that there are many people like myself who will counsel you to live within the rules -- no two stays on one night at different hotels, no phantom stays, etc. -- but there are perfectly legitimate ways to increase your stay account -- hop from hotel to hotel, alternate with another the room each day, etc.

Worst that they could make you do is check out, wait and check back in. However, as I have noted in a number of threads, it is usually a win-win for the hotel and you = you do not need to vacate the room and they do not need to thorughly clean it as if it should be ready for a new guest to occupy.

With respect to names, I sometimes have stated that we are married but are each on business and thus need the bills in each of our professional names -- all accurate.

Got it! Thanks again. I have a few more questions that have my head spinning.

So we (both DH and I) are registered for FFN. But I see talk of FFN with points or miles. I dont recall seeing this when I picked to earn FFN. Where might I find that choice ( I want to earn points with it)? Am I correct to assume that I want points, because then stays count double? Also what is a G bonus? I assume that does not mess up earning FFN.

In addition, can I also sign up to earn miles that are listed in those other separate threads (like the earn miles after every second stay) even though I am getting FFN and points.

Got it! Thanks again. I have a few more questions that have my head spinning.

So we (both DH and I) are registered for FFN. But I see talk of FFN with points or miles. I dont recall seeing this when I picked to earn FFN. Where might I find that choice ( I want to earn points with it)? Am I correct to assume that I want points, because then stays count double? Also what is a G bonus? I assume that does not mess up earning FFN.

In addition, can I also sign up to earn miles that are listed in those other separate threads (like the earn miles after every second stay) even though I am getting FFN and points.

I only really know about earning points and there seems to be a question concenring the applicablility of earning miles with some of these bonuses and promotions. I would suggest you do a search of this forum re earning mile, etc.

G bonuses are extra point bonus fro stay at certain hotels when you are earning points only.

G Bonuses do not interfere with FFNs and they can be found under Hyatt
Special offers on the Hyatt website or under the promotion thread I believe there is a link for them.

I believe you can sign up for the earning miles, as well, but as I said, I do not know the appliciablity of certain promotions when earning them -- however, G bonuses will not be earned when earning miles, that I do know.

Thanks NJUPINTHEAIR.
I failed to do an alternative stay with my girlfriend last month in my first stay in Hyatt. I booked in her name for first night and second night in mine. Upon checked in they told me that we will be checked out the next day, I told them we have another reservation. We don't have to change room in our stay but when checking out I found that they combined our two reservation into one by transfering my deposit to hers. It takes about two weeks for stays be posted and only one stay be posted with two nights.

Since the concierges were so nice that I dont know how to tell them to keep our reservation seperately while the time checking out. Maybe next time I should tell them to keep our bill seperately upon checkin. Or simply swap hotel from one to another.

Thanks NJUPINTHEAIR.
I failed to do an alternative stay with my girlfriend last month in my first stay in Hyatt. I booked in her name for first night and second night in mine. Upon checked in they told me that we will be checked out the next day, I told them we have another reservation. We don't have to change room in our stay but when checking out I found that they combined our two reservation into one by transfering my deposit to hers. It takes about two weeks for stays be posted and only one stay be posted with two nights.

Since the concierges were so nice that I dont know how to tell them to keep our reservation seperately while the time checking out. Maybe next time I should tell them to keep our bill seperately upon checkin. Or simply swap hotel from one to another.

I have not had this happen to me and I advise the front desk that we will stay in the same room but we must keep the bills separate. So each morning I would go downstairs and have the bill reviewed, check out, submit my wife's credit card for her stay, check-in and have new key cards for the same room made. Then repeat, but my giving my credit card for the next reservation the next day that was under my name.

This is not wrong or contrary to the rules. Two people are earning FFNs. The hotel has the discretion to make you check -out, wait, and then check back in. But as I have noted, the hotel wins by not having to have their maids have to do a thorough cleaning of the room that you just vacated -- as if it were for a new guest. So, in the end, it is a win, win for everyone.

Got it! Thanks again. I have a few more questions that have my head spinning.

So we (both DH and I) are registered for FFN. But I see talk of FFN with points or miles. I dont recall seeing this when I picked to earn FFN. Where might I find that choice ( I want to earn points with it)? Am I correct to assume that I want points, because then stays count double? Also what is a G bonus? I assume that does not mess up earning FFN.

In addition, can I also sign up to earn miles that are listed in those other separate threads (like the earn miles after every second stay) even though I am getting FFN and points.

FFN is in addition to standard points or miles. You tell the hotel when you check in whether you want points or miles and provide your airline FF card. If the hotel posts points but you wanted miles, then call GP CS and they'll change it.

Those of us who are UA 1K were all going for miles when Hyatt had a promotion for 5000 miles per stay for UA 1K, and we were also earning FFN at the same time.

So, in the end, it is a win, win for everyone.

Except of course for GoldPassport. ;)

Except of course for GoldPassport. ;)

Nope, they win too, as they fill a hotel room.

... I was thinking of staying a night here and there with the DEL5K and another code to obtain some FFN (since I would have to pay anyway). The optional code seems to come up with a travelzoo deal ($75 USD credit and $25 casino credit). I think I read in the thread that travelzoo rates dont count, but in the hotel review thread it appears too. Would CSR be able to confirm if it counts or just go by what other Hyatt members have found?

The most convenient way to book eligible rates is to visit hyatt.com and search for your preferred location for best available rates. As you are talking about HR Lake Tahoe Resort (http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/) (you also find special offers (http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/offers/offers.jsp) and you like to add Special Offer Code “DEL5K” I did this for a random search:

Among others, I found a non refundable prepaid rate (http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/reservations/popRateOnlyDetails.jsp;jsessionid=5PCHMGJCNRE44CTE AGDSFFQKMQAYQIV0?xactionid=124b9a4eafe&_requestid=507421) (Welcome to up to 30% off (http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/offers/details.jsp?pid=2252&offerCode=LTO110&specialOfferId=20550&corp_id=) offer without using special offer code LTO110) and a rate (http://www.hyatt.com/hyatt/reservations/popRateOnlyDetails.jsp;jsessionid=5PCHMGJCNRE44CTE AGDSFFQKMQAYQIV0?xactionid=124b9a8d083&_requestid=507675) ($ 123.75 + fee & taxes) with these features:



1 Tier Room Upgrade Based Upon Availability at Check-in
$ 75 Resort Credit/Day
$ 25 Casino Match Play Coupon/Stay
Cancel 7 Days Prior To Arrival
1 Night Deposit Will Be Charged To your Credit Card at time of reservation



As I tried to explain here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12657225-post19.html), here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12701241-post21.html) and there (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12751524-post25.html), Travelzoo is a global media company and not a booking engine. The vast majority of offers you find there (according to "Travelzoo" the offer in question is either sold out due to huge demand or may no longer be available at the originally advertised price, terms and conditions (http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california-hotels/647223)) are promoted by Hyatt and bookable without adding external offer and/or corporate codes.

Travelzoo -- do they or don't they earn stay credits? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/970507-travelzoo-do-they-dont-they-earn-stay-credits.html)

What my spouse and I do for earning FFNs [...] is alternating between yours and his accounts on consecutive days to maximize earning free nights. Some warn that the hotel will make you check out of your room -- I have never experienced this -- but this conceivably could happen -- still worth it in my opinion to opitmize obtaining free nights.

As you circumvent GP's intention IMO this is a textbook example of a loophole.

... However, as I have noted in a number of threads, it is usually a win-win for the hotel and you = you do not need to vacate the room and they do not need to thoroughly clean it as if it should be ready for a new guest to occupy.
Others will argue that it would be preferable for HSS Denver Tech Center, HP Fremont, HSS Addison, HR New Brunswick, HSS Herndon - you name it – if we are not physically present at hotel (“phantom stay”) and consequently GP should allow us to take advantage of a price differential: We pay $ 1.300 for twenty stays at budget hotels and earn – besides ten free nights at a resort or a pricy hotel – 125K MP miles (= r/t from North America to South East Asia in Biz) & 10K GP points (= two nights at HR Auckland).

You are too bright to know that this scenario (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12756598-post211.html) does not work forever.

SS --

Most won't be able to do what CTown did so that is an outlier and not the norm. Even this round, I am not switching off with my spouse, and even when I did, we never amassed those points or free nights. Remember also, that not everyone was eligible for the UA bonus -- including yours truly -- so that is not not the norm either.

Finally, what you call a loophole is perfectly legitimate and there is no way to stop it since it is perfectly consistent with the way all hotel frequency programs work -- every adult is permitted to earn in his or her name, especially since many/most female spouses now work outside of the home and are independent.

Would you devise a program where couples can only earn points in a joint account? I would not want that. In fact, Hilton used to have this option has an elective, but they did away with it -- at least with respect to new sign-ups.

Al in all, although I very much value your extremely helpful posts and insignts, on this issue we part company. :)